University Of Pennsylvania

This study looks at a Philadelphia program that provides housing to people with HIV who are homeless or at risk. Researchers want to see if having a stable home helps people stay on their HIV medication and keep the virus under control. About 200 people will be randomly chosen to…

This study tests whether switching to guselkumab (a different type of biologic) is better than switching to another TNF inhibitor (golimumab) for people with psoriatic arthritis whose first TNF inhibitor stopped working or didn't work well. About 63 adults with active psoriatic a…

This study tests whether personalized marketing and discounts in an online grocery store can encourage people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes to buy more whole grains instead of refined grains. About 216 adults aged 45-70 from Pennsylvania who already shop online for grocerie…

This study tests whether combining medication (varenicline or nicotine patch) with extra support can help people with HIV quit smoking. Smoking is especially harmful for those with HIV, shortening life more than the virus itself. The trial will enroll 340 adults with HIV who smok…

This study tests a program to help people with high blood pressure and high cholesterol lower their risk of heart disease. About 1,980 adults from Penn Medicine primary care will be assigned to either the program or usual care. The program uses tools and behavior change support t…

This study tests different methods to help adults with depression take their antidepressant medication regularly. Researchers will track medication use with electronic pill bottles and measure depression symptoms over 12 weeks. The goal is to find better ways to support medicatio…

This early study tests whether draining lymph fluid from the chest can lower harmful inflammation in people with septic shock. Ten adults in the surgical ICU will have a tube placed in their thoracic duct to drain lymph for up to 7 days. The goal is to see if this approach is saf…

This study tests whether a dietary supplement called resistant starch can improve heart health and gut bacteria in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). About 100 women will take either resistant starch or a placebo for 12 weeks, alongside standard birth control pills. The…

This study looks at whether allowing more flexibility in levothyroxine (thyroid hormone) dosing can improve quality of life for older adults with hypothyroidism. Researchers will enroll 228 people aged 65 and older who take daily thyroid medication. Participants will be monitored…

This study tests a home-based program called LiverWatch for people with advanced liver disease (cirrhosis). Participants get a Fitbit, personalized nutrition advice, and weekly education. The goal is to see if this helps improve physical activity, diet, and overall well-being. Ab…

This study tests a combination of two immune-boosting drugs (CD40 and Dectin-1 activators) as a maintenance treatment for people with advanced pancreatic cancer that has not worsened after initial chemotherapy. About 100 adults whose cancer is either locally advanced or spread to…

This early-stage trial tests a new treatment for people with a specific type of lung cancer that has spread or come back. The therapy uses the patient's own immune cells, modified to target a protein called folate receptor-alpha (FRa) on cancer cells. Ten participants will receiv…

This study tests a counseling program called Friendship Bench + Safety Planning for teens aged 13-19 living with HIV who have had suicidal thoughts. The goal is to see if the program is practical, acceptable, and helps reduce suicidal thoughts and improve HIV care. Sixty particip…

This early-phase trial tests a new treatment for adults with a type of recurrent brain cancer called glioblastoma. The treatment uses the patient's own immune cells, which are modified in a lab to recognize and attack cancer cells. The main goal is to check safety and find the be…

This study compares three standard treatments for people with isolated skin vasculitis, a condition where blood vessels in the skin become inflamed. Researchers want to see which treatment works best to control symptoms and improve quality of life. About 90 adults with this condi…

This study tests whether the drug abatacept can help people with giant cell arteritis, a condition that causes inflammation in blood vessels. About 78 adults with newly diagnosed or relapsing disease will receive either abatacept or a placebo for up to 12 months. The goal is to s…

This study tests a new type of breathing support (NIV-NAVA) for very premature babies (born at 23-28 weeks) who are being taken off a ventilator. The goal is to see if this smarter support helps them breathe on their own without failing within 5 days, compared to standard support…

This early-phase study tests a new treatment called TmPSMA-02 for men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) that has not responded to standard therapies. The treatment uses the patient's own immune cells, modified to better recognize and attack cancer cells. …

This early-stage study tests a drug called dorzagliatin in 15 adults with cystic fibrosis who have trouble controlling their blood sugar. The goal is to see if the drug improves how the body handles sugar after a meal. Participants will take the drug or a placebo for 7 days each,…

This study tests five different immune-modulating medications to see which works best for people with relapsing polychondritis, a rare disease that causes painful inflammation of cartilage. About 20 adults will receive one of the standard treatments. The main goal is to see how m…

This study tests a program called THRIVE, where trained peer support specialists help people with opioid use disorder after they leave the hospital. Participants get one in-person session and weekly texts for 12 weeks. The goal is to see if this support lowers the chance of a non…

This study tests whether giving a clot-busting drug directly into the brain's arteries can improve tiny blood vessel flow after a major stroke clot is removed. About 20 adults who had a large-vessel stroke and already underwent mechanical clot removal will receive a single dose o…

This study tests the drug ruxolitinib in adults with idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) that did not improve with standard treatments like siltuximab or tocilizumab. The goal is to see if ruxolitinib can reduce symptoms such as fatigue, fever, and night sweats, and …

This study looks for a safe and effective way to start methadone treatment faster for people with opioid use disorder who also use fentanyl. Researchers will test different starting doses in 24 adults to see which one works best without causing serious side effects. The goal is t…

This early-phase study tests whether certain drugs can safely and effectively treat severe side effects (cytokine release syndrome and HLH-like syndrome) that can occur after CAR T cell therapy. About 10 adults already receiving CAR T cells for cancer will be given these rescue t…

This study is testing if a monthly injection of naltrexone helps people who drink primarily for pleasure (reward drinkers) reduce heavy drinking more than a placebo shot. About 60 adults with alcohol use disorder will receive either the active medication or a placebo injection fo…

This study tests whether a thin camera placed into the uterus (hysteroscopy) can better diagnose pregnancy of unknown location than the standard scraping procedure (D&C). About 60 infertility patients with slow-rising pregnancy hormone levels will receive both procedures, and res…

This study tests a dye called indocyanine green that makes tumors glow under special cameras during surgery. The goal is to help surgeons find and remove all cancerous tissue, even tiny bits that are hard to see with the naked eye. About 500 adults with solid tumors will take par…

This study compares a new breast imaging system (MAMMOMAT B.brilliant) to a standard system (MAMMOMAT Revelation) to see if it shows breast calcifications more clearly. About 100 women with suspicious calcifications will get both scans. The goal is to improve detection without ch…

This early-phase study tests a new radioactive tracer called 18F-JSS20-183A to see how it spreads in the body and whether it can detect abnormal tau protein in the brain. Researchers will scan healthy volunteers and people with tau-related diseases like Progressive Supranuclear P…

This study is testing a new type of CT scanner that uses less radiation and creates clearer, more detailed images. Researchers want to see if it helps doctors better diagnose problems in the abdomen, chest, heart, bones, and brain. About 250 adults aged 18 to 89 will be scanned, …

This early-phase study is testing a radioactive tracer called F-TMP to see if it can help find bacterial infections in the body using PET/CT scans. About 20 adults with known or suspected infections will receive the tracer and then be scanned. The goal is to understand how the tr…

This study looks at whether a program called STEP-UP can make it easier for people to get PrEP, a daily pill that prevents HIV. Instead of going directly to a doctor, participants get PrEP through trusted community organizations that offer telehealth appointments. Researchers wil…

This study tests if starting a higher dose of aspirin early in pregnancy (before 7 weeks) can lower the risk of preeclampsia and pregnancy loss in women with risk factors. About 1,150 pregnant women will take either 162 mg of aspirin daily or a placebo, then switch to a lower dos…

This study tests whether using social virtual reality (VR) during dialysis sessions can help reduce loneliness and other symptoms in people with end-stage kidney disease. Sixty participants will use VR glasses for 30-45 minutes during their dialysis treatments over four weeks. Th…

This study tests whether a small, wearable device called the Reletex Reliefband can help reduce nausea and vomiting after bariatric (weight-loss) surgery. About 100 adults having robotic sleeve gastrectomy will wear either the active device or a placebo for 24 hours after surgery…

This study tests a new therapy called TUNE In for adults with autism who struggle with social situations. The therapy helps with social motivation, anxiety, and reading social cues. Researchers will compare the therapy to usual care in 40 adults to see if it improves social funct…

This study tests whether a home-based exercise program, guided by a smartphone and activity tracker, can help people who have a new heart pump (LVAD) become more active and improve their quality of life. About 100 adults with a newly implanted HeartMate 3 LVAD will either follow …

This small pilot study is testing whether semaglutide, a drug already approved for diabetes and obesity, is safe and tolerable for people with advanced lung diseases like COPD or pulmonary fibrosis. Eight participants will take the drug for 12 weeks while researchers monitor side…

This study tests whether a safe, non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tDCS, combined with standard cognitive therapy, can improve memory and thinking in people who recently had a stroke. Researchers will enroll 70 adults aged 18-90 who had a stroke within the past mont…

This study compares two ways of monitoring symptoms in people receiving dialysis for end-stage kidney disease. About 2,400 patients across up to 36 U.S. clinics will either use a tablet-based system that tracks symptoms and alerts their care team, or continue with usual care. The…

This study looks at whether a single dose of a nutritional ketone ester drink can change how the brain responds to alcohol cues and reduce the urge to drink in people with alcohol use disorder. Twenty adults who drink heavily but are not seeking treatment will receive either the …

This study tests whether using ultrasound to guide a steroid injection into the foot works better than relying on touch alone for treating plantar fasciitis (heel pain). About 62 adults with heel pain will receive one of the two injection methods. Researchers will measure pain le…

This study is adapting an existing texting chatbot, Penny, to better support pregnant and postpartum women who are dealing with opioid use disorder. The new chatbot, called Penny COPILOT, will send supportive texts and respond to messages to help reduce loneliness and keep women …

This study tests whether a stress management and mindfulness program can improve quality of life for adults with sickle cell disease. Participants will learn techniques like relaxation exercises, mindfulness meditation, and assertive communication. The study aims to reduce pain i…

This study tests whether a combination of two medicines, pregabalin and lofexidine, can reduce withdrawal symptoms in people with opioid use disorder who want to start a longer-acting treatment called naltrexone. About 150 adults will receive either the drug combo or a placebo fo…

This study tests whether combining a gentle brain stimulation technique (TMS) with speech therapy can improve language in people who have mild aphasia after a stroke. About 24 adults who had a stroke at least 6 months ago will receive 10 sessions of either real or fake TMS along …

This study compares starting labor induction at home versus in the hospital for first-time mothers carrying a single baby at full term. Participants will have a Foley catheter placed to help ripen the cervix, then either go home or stay in the hospital. The goal is to see if the …

This study tests if adding game-like features and social support or competition can help people with a type of heart failure (HFpEF) become more physically active. About 270 adults will use a device to track their steps and receive either standard encouragement or extra incentive…

This study tests if a non-invasive magnetic stimulation device can reduce dangerous heart rhythm episodes in people with ventricular tachycardia storm. About 60 adults who have had multiple episodes despite medication will be randomly assigned to real or sham stimulation. The mai…

This study tests a new mouthpiece (bite block) for upper endoscopy, a procedure where a camera looks at your stomach. The goal is to see if the new design reduces mouth injuries and makes the procedure smoother. About 50 adults having routine endoscopy will try it out.

This study is creating a large collection of information and biological samples from people with various neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, ALS, and Parkinson's. Researchers will track changes in thinking, language, and brain imaging over time. The goal is to better und…

This study is building a research database of people with Parkinson's disease and related conditions. Researchers will collect medical history, symptoms, brain images, and biological samples to learn about the long-term effects and genetic factors of the disease. Up to 250 partic…

This study uses a radioactive tracer and PET/CT scan to measure lung inflammation in people who vape nicotine or cannabis, compared to cigarette smokers and non-smokers. Researchers aim to understand how different smoking and vaping habits affect lung health. The study involves 1…

This study collects DNA samples and health information from 1,000 people with vasculitis—a group of rare diseases where blood vessels become inflamed. Researchers hope to identify genes that increase the risk of developing these conditions, which could lead to better tests and tr…

This study follows 60 adults with a bicuspid aortic valve (a heart valve with two flaps instead of three) for 5 years using yearly 4D CT scans. The goal is to measure how the valve moves and changes shape over time, which may help doctors better predict future valve problems. Par…

This study aims to better understand the brain activity behind movement disorders like Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and ataxia. Researchers will record electrical signals from the scalp or from implanted deep brain stimulation devices in 100 adults. They will …

This study uses a special brain scan called PET to measure a protein called tau, which builds up in people with brain cell damage. Researchers will look at 300 adults with diseases like Alzheimer's, frontotemporal degeneration, and Parkinson's to see how tau buildup relates to me…

This study looks at whether breathing through the nose or mouth changes how the airway collapses during a special sleep endoscopy test. Researchers will study 50 adults with sleep apnea to see if the breathing route during the test matches natural sleep. The goal is to improve ho…

This study aims to better understand how severe autoimmune blistering diseases like pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid are, and how they affect patients' quality of life. Researchers will enroll 150 adults with these conditions and use special scoring tools to track disease activit…

This study uses a special camera to take extremely detailed pictures of the retina (the back of the eye) in both healthy people and those with eye diseases like Stargardt's or age-related macular degeneration. The goal is to see individual cells and blood vessels to better unders…

This study aims to improve how doctors plan epilepsy surgery by using advanced MRI scans to map brain connections. Researchers will compare these scans with electrical recordings from inside the brain in 290 people with drug-resistant epilepsy. The goal is to develop noninvasive …

This study tests whether an AI tool can help hospital doctors write patient handoff notes faster and with less stress. About 90 doctors will be randomly assigned to use the AI draft or not. The goal is to see if AI reduces the time spent on paperwork and improves doctor well-bein…

This study looks at how your immune system reacts when you get the flu. Researchers want to see if your body mostly uses memories from past flu infections instead of building a fresh defense. Up to 50 adults with a positive flu test will join each year to provide blood and nasal …

This study tests a program called THRIVE that helps people on Medicaid, including those with serious mental illness, transition from hospital to home care. Participants get a home care nurse within 48 hours of leaving the hospital and a doctor who oversees their care for 30 days.…

This study follows 400 adults with diabetes who need a kidney biopsy as part of their care. Researchers collect kidney tissue, blood, urine, and genetic samples to compare people whose kidney function declines rapidly versus slowly. The goal is to find biological markers and pote…

This study is testing whether a conversational AI texting platform can successfully recruit pregnant people in Philadelphia for early pregnancy care. Researchers will enroll up to 2,637 participants who are less than 13 weeks pregnant and have a working mobile phone. The main goa…

This study looks at brain patterns linked to negative emotions in 40 adults with depression or anxiety. Researchers will use brain scans to create a personal 'negative emotion map' for each person, then test different types of magnetic stimulation (TMS) to find which one best dis…

This study aims to create a simple, accurate tool using sensors and machine learning to detect motor delays in infants as young as 1 month old. Researchers will observe 1,700 babies, including those with brain injuries and healthy controls, to see if automated assessments can pre…

This study looks at kidney tissue from adults with diabetic kidney disease who are already having a kidney biopsy or surgery. Researchers want to understand how SGLT2 inhibitors, a common diabetes medicine, change the kidney's molecular makeup. Participants donate a tissue slide,…

This study looks at whether watching an educational video about fibroid treatments helps women feel more confident in their decision. About 154 women with fibroids will be randomly assigned to see the video or get usual care. Researchers will measure their decisional conflict usi…

This study looks at how a type of brain stimulation called cTBS affects arousal and fear learning in 120 adults with PTSD. Participants will receive either real or fake stimulation while their startle response and distress are measured. The goal is to understand the brain's role …

This study looks at how a specific brain area, the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), helps us remember and make decisions based on memory. Researchers will record brain activity from 130 epilepsy patients who already have brain monitoring as part of their treatment. The goal is t…

This study follows 40 adults with central nervous system vasculitis (CNSV), a rare and serious condition where blood vessels in the brain become inflamed, potentially causing strokes, memory loss, or dementia. Researchers will collect medical history and survey responses to learn…

This early-phase study tests a radioactive tracer called 11C-HY-2-15 to see how it spreads through the body and whether it can highlight abnormal alpha-synuclein protein clumps in the brains of people with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). Researchers will compare brain scans from 7…

This study aims to learn more about LCAT deficiency, a rare genetic condition that affects how the body processes fats. Researchers will collect medical records, blood and urine samples, and survey data from up to 40 participants over time. The goal is to track how the disease pr…

This study uses a special PET scan to measure tau protein buildup in the brains of people with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), atypical Alzheimer's disease, and healthy volunteers. Researchers want to see if this scan can help tell these conditions apart. About 72 adult…

This study follows 110 people with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) for up to 3 years to see how their brains change compared to healthy individuals. Participants will give blood samples, have MRI scans, and take thinking and memory tests. The goal is to measure ho…

This study looks at how well dental implants heal in people taking TNF-alpha inhibitors (a type of medication for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis). Researchers will compare 15 patients on these drugs with 15 who are not, tracking pain, complications, and bone healing for one…

This study looks at whether people with cystic fibrosis can collect sputum (mucus) samples at home and mail them in to check for lung infections, instead of coming to the clinic. About 150 adults will provide both home and clinic samples so researchers can compare how well each m…

This study looks at two common antibiotic combinations given to hospitalized adults with infections: vancomycin plus piperacillin-tazobactam versus vancomycin plus cefepime. The goal is to see if one is less likely to cause kidney injury using more sensitive markers than standard…

This study aims to better understand burning mouth syndrome by having participants report their symptoms through a smartphone app several times a day for 12 weeks. Researchers will also collect saliva samples to look for biological markers linked to the condition. The goal is to …

This study looks at how a single dose of a ketone drink or alcohol affects brain chemistry using MRI scans. Sixty adults who drink alcohol occasionally will each have three separate MRI visits: after a ketone drink, after an alcoholic drink, and with no drink. The goal is to meas…

This study tests a smartphone app called Footsteps that helps school aides record and track behaviors of children aged 4-17 with conditions like autism, ADHD, or oppositional defiant disorder. The goal is to see if the app improves the quality of data collected and leads to bette…

This study follows 100 people with relapsing polychondritis, a rare disease that causes repeated inflammation of cartilage in the ears, nose, and airways. Researchers will collect medical history and survey symptoms like fatigue and pain to better understand how the disease devel…

This study looks at a telephone service called SUSTAIN that helps older adults (65+) manage depression, anxiety, or chronic pain. Researchers want to find out what factors make the program more effective and whether its benefits last over time. About 4,000 participants will be fo…

This study looks at how hormones during the menstrual cycle change the brain's ability to adapt, called plasticity, in healthy young women. Researchers will also compare these changes to those in men. Using a safe brain stimulation technique called TMS, they measure brain respons…

This study looks at how a person's birth year affects their immune system's response to the seasonal flu vaccine. Researchers will enroll up to 700 healthy adults of different ages to measure antibodies and immune cells before and after vaccination. The goal is to understand why …

This study looks at how blocking a nerve cluster near the spine (stellate ganglion block) changes the heart's electrical activity in 20 adults with ventricular tachycardia who are already scheduled for a catheter ablation. Researchers will measure heart tissue recovery time and w…

This study aims to understand why many people with cystic fibrosis develop diabetes. Researchers will measure how gut hormones called incretins affect insulin release in 45 adults with cystic fibrosis and pancreatic insufficiency. The goal is to uncover the mechanisms behind cyst…

This study looks at whether patient navigation—a service that helps people schedule and attend appointments—can increase the number of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who receive surgery. The study will enroll 76 people from historically marginalized groups and track ho…